IISc develops technique to detect cancer early, killing infected cells

World over, cancer is one of the highest causes of mortality. Numerous studies have warned about its rising burden in both developing and developed countries.

For the experiment, the team subjected the cancer cells, obtained from cell lines, to infrared (IR) light at frequencies 960 nanometres (imaging) and 1,064nm for photothermal study.

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In a boost to cancer research, scientists at the Indian Institute of Science(IISc) have proposed a novel approach for cancer treatment with a potential of early detection and killing of lung and cervical cancer cells.

World over, cancer is one of the highest causes of mortality. Numerous studies have warned about its rising burden in both developing and developed countries. A study published in the Bio Medical Central Journal in May 2022 has estimated India’s cancer cases to touch 29.8 million by 2025. It stated that the disease burden would be the highest among the populations in North and northeast India. Moreover, over 40 per cent of India’s total cancer burden would be contributed by the seven leading cancer sites — lung (10.6%), breast (10.5%), oesophagus (5.8%), mouth (5.7%), stomach (5.2%), liver (4.6%), and cervix uteri (4.3%).

Researchers exploited the anti-cancerous properties in the hybrid gold and copper sulphide nanoparticles, particularly to target malignancy progressing to form a solid tumour mass in the body. These particles, scientists said, are rich in photothermal, oxidative stress and photoacoustic properties — combining which showed high cancer detection rate.

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Read | IISc Bengaluru researchers discover nanomotors can lead to early detection of cancer cells

Breast and many other cancers, when detected early and provided with subsequent medical intervention have resulted in recovery with higher chances of the patient’s survival.

For the experiment, the team subjected the cancer cells, obtained from cell lines, to infrared (IR) light at frequencies 960 nanometres (imaging) and 1,064nm for photothermal study.

“Along with a good detection rate, the observed cancer killing rate was about 25 per cent ,” Jaya Prakash, Assistant Professor, Department of Instrumentation and Applied Physics (IAP), IISc, said. He is one of the authors of the paper published in the ACS Applied Nano Materials. The Bengaluru team of experimentalists further noted that the nanoparticles could also help diagnose certain other cancers, too.

(Anjali Marar works with the Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru)

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